USA > Illinois > History of the 57th regiment, Illinois voluteer infantry, from muster in, Dec. 26, 1861, to muster out, July 7, 1865 > Part 2
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HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS. 19
the regiment was greeted with shot and shell from the enemy's guns. We formed in line of battle in Colonel Sweeney's Brigade. Gen. Lew Wallace's 2d Division, and on General Prentiss' right : but about this time his lines gave away. and General Wallace ordered Colonel Baldwin, with his regiment detached from Sweeney's Brigade. to support Battery D Ist Missouri Light Artillery, then in action to the left of the Corinth road. While protecting this battery, the regiment was under a heavy fire. Fiercer and fiercer raged the battle. The great Grant was moving on the field with a mighty power, but fearful odds were against him. and the Army of the Tennessee was compelled to yield position after position. The 1st Missouri Battery being obliged to move its position to the rear, Colonel Baldwin ordered his regiment further to the left to the support of General Hurlbut's Division, who at that time was hard pressed; but before the regiment got into position. his lines gave way, pushing us further to the left. Crossing the Hamburg road we marched up a ravine, when the order was given " by the right flank." and marching to the crest of the hill, the regiment met the enemy in over- whelmning numbers, charging on the colors of the Missis- sippi Tigers, who were in our front. In this charge the lamented Major Page fell, while cheering the men to the front : and the noble Captain R. D. Adams, of Co. E. while leading the charge upon the colors, was mortally wounded. dying soon after taken from the field. Theodore M. Dog- gett. the brave First Lieutenant of Co. I, fell while trying to save the left. During this charge the lines on our right being overpowered by superior numbers, were forced to retire, leaving the regiment exposed to the fire of an entire brigade supported by a battery. Under this heavy cross- fire the regiment was compelled to fall back towards Pitts-
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burg Landing, closely followed by the enemy. Upon reaching General Hurlbut's headquarters the regiment faced "by the rear rank " and delivered a volley. At the same. time Lieutenant Woods, who had charge of one piece of artillery and was on the retreat, seeing the position the regiment was in, unlimbered his artillery and delivered a fire of double shotted grape and canister, which had the desired effect of checking the enemy. At this time Colonel Baldwin's horse was shot, falling upon his leg. but the ground being soft no bones were broken, and the valiant Colonel still remained in command. The regiment was then ordered to the Corinth road and formed in line of battle to protect the siege guns at the old house. near the river, which General Buell is said to be approaching with his forces. General Grant is now seen moving about with a careworn countenance. He moves amid the carnage. forming his last battle line. one-fourth mile from the Ten- nessee River, where the advance is now driven. The line is formed. It is a line of iron, a wall of steel, a line of stout hearts. as firm and powerful as any Napoleon ever formed, under like reverses. in the palmiest days of his imperial power. It seems almost impossible for such a compact line to be formed at this hour. On every avail- able spot of earth an iron-lipped monster frowns. It is a trying moment. for Grant and his army know that should this line be broken the battle would be lost. and the proud old flag, the emblem of freedom, would be compelled to trail its starry folds in the dust. At half-past four o'clock General Grant with his noble aides dash along the line. and in a voice of thunder commands the Army of the Tennessee to stand firm. The last desperate struggle. on Sunday evening. now commences. One hundred brazen guns are carrying death and destruction across Shiloh's
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bloody field. The 57th is in line. Colonel Baldwin is at his post, now on foot. his horse having been killed early in the day. All the company officers that are left are in their places cheering and encouraging their brave men ; and as we gaze upon the bristling bayonets that are gleaming along the line of the 57th. we know that every man that is beneath them will fall. if need be. to shield the old Hag. The infantry is clashing now, but our lines stand firm. The rebel hosts now grow desperate. The earth trembles: but amid all the deafening battle element of this darkene ? field the flag and its noble defenders stand firm. The storm still increases in its sweeping power. At five o'clock the issue becomes doubtful, each seeming to hold the balance of power : and as we cast our eyes over the Ten- nessee River looking for the army of Buell. we hope for night and the Army of the Ohio to come. About this time Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston poured out his life-blood upon the altar of a vain ambition. The enemy's lines waver. and the sun goes down with the Army of the Ten- nessee standing shoulder to shoulder victorious on their last great line. Night comes, and with it the Army of the Ohio : but only in time to witness the closing scene. Darkness setting in, the battle is over for the day. The curtain of night has fallen, hiding from our eyes the terri- ble scenes of carnage and death. Scores of brave men are sleeping the sleep that knows no waking. They have fought nobly their last battle, and have thrown themselves into the dread breach and passed away. No human pen can picture the Battle of Shiloh as it presented itself on that memorable Sunday night. Shortly after dark it began to rain. with thunder roaring and lightning flashing. The 57th, tired and exhausted, drops upon the damp ground to rest, unmindful of the drenching rain that is falling upon
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them. Disastrous war has wrapped its winding sheet around the cold form of many a fond mother's boy, a brave father and noble husband : and before many days there will be weeping and sorrowing in the lonely cottage homes for the loved and lost who are now sleeping beneath the tall oaks on the banks of the Tennessee. All night long the cold. chilling rain poured down upon us. The only comfort we had in our sufferings was the occasional deafening explosion from the gun-boats on the river. and the scream of the shells as they passed over our heads in a great are, and bursted among the enemy. All night long the signal lights could be seen between Grant's and Buell's signal officers from bank to bank of the river. All through the night regiments from Buell's army, which had crossed the river in transports. marched by us to take position in line for the morrow. Being without shelter, the cold rain soaked through our clothing to our partially paralyzed bodies : the brain was benumbed from cold and hunger : weak men gave away to despair. and strong men cursed the misfortunes that placed our cause in such a position. The rain ceased a little before daylight. and the morning sun shone clear and bright. as though the heavens was smiling upon us and our cause. Everything became bustle and confusion : regiments marching here, batteries driv- ing there, cavalrymen and orderlies dashing about as they carried orders from the different brigade and division com- manders, showing that the battle was not yet lost or won. As daylight came men who had got scattered from the regiment during the previous day now came up, helping to fill the ranks. Some " hard tack " having been procured, a meagre breakfast was made. and the 57th was ready for the field again. Great praise is due the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, having kept up an incessant fire from their
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guns on the enemy during the night, compelling them to fall back out of range.
April 7. Col. T. W. Sweeney, commanding the 3d Brigade. having been wounded the previous day, Colonel Baldwin, of the 57th. assumed command of the Brigade, turning the command of the regiment over to Captain G. A. Busse. Hark ! we hear the rattle of musketry and the loud boom from the cannons' month. We march to the front under command of the gallant Captain Busse, where we find the brave defenders of our flag hotly engaged with the enemy. The 57th wheels into position and is ordered to lie down. Though the enemy has given ground, they still show stubborness. It is getting uncomfortable, as the whizzing minnies come screaming through the air on their mission of death. But we do not remain here long. for from this place of inactivity we are moved to a place of action. The battle is raging furiously. The Army of the Ohio and the army of the Tennessee are striking hand in hand. The tables are turning ; step by step the enemy are driven back ; position after position the 57th is now taking and it is apparent that the enemy is retreating. Another day is waning ; a day in which has been held high carnival of blood on Shiloh's gory field. The rebels are now flying. and the armies of the Ohio and Tennessee are making a terrible wreck of the rear of the retreating army. now so rapidly fading from Shiloh's field. The 57th return to their own camp; their fires are soon burning. and those noble ones who have fought so well lie down worn and weary to rest. They have passed through two days of fearful battle. Amid the roar of cannon and rattle of musketry they bore their tattered flag. and when the storm-king was making his most wrathful strides it still
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waved in the breeze and never went down. for strong arms were there to hold it aloft. But it is painful. as we look around, to see that some of our noble comrades who were with us this morning are not with us now. They have fallen-died in the early morning of life. And why did they die ? That our our country might be saved. The following are the casualties of the 57th Illinois in the two days' engagement : Major N. B. Page, killed : Captain R. D. Adams, Co. E. killed ; First Lieut. Theo. M. Doggett, Co. I, killed ; Captain John Phillips, Co. A. wounded : Cap- tain A. H. Manzer, Co. B. wounded ; Captain Wm. S. Swan, First Lieut. B. D. Salter. Co. E. wounded ; First Lieut. Frederick Busse, Co. G, wounded ; Second Lieut. W. S. Hendricks. Co. I. taken prisoner, and 186 enlisted men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. Our colors were struck during the battle by thirty-four bullets and one shell : but the two gallant color-bearers, Sergt. A. G. Thompson and John E. DeLea, carried the colors through the two days conflict without receiving a scratch, although all the color guard but one were killed or wounded. First Lieut. B. D. Salter, of Co. E, being wounded, the command of the company devolved on First Sergeant David B. Ken- yon, and bravely he did his duty. General Beauregard placed his loss at 1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded and 959 miss- ing. The Union loss was 1.614 killed, 7,721 wounded and 3,963 missing.
April S. The regiment was ordered out on the Corinth road -- anticipating an attack from the enemy-returning to camp near midnight.
April 9. The most melancholy duties were now to be performed-that of burying the dead. A large detail from
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FREDERICK J. HURLBUT, LIEUT. COLONEL.
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each company executed this last sad service to our fallen comrades, Chaplain of the regiment N. G. Collins officiat- ing. .
April 10. Lieut .- Colonel F. J. Hurlbut, who had been absent on sick leave. returns and relieves Captain G. A. Busse of the command of the regiment, Captain Busse returning to his company.
April 15. Captain Eric Forse, of Co. D, was elected Major of the regiment.
Colonel Baldwin. commanding the brigade, made the following detail of officers of the 57th Illinois to act as his staff officers : Adjutant N. E. Hahn, Acting Asst. Adjutant- General : Quartermaster E. Hamilton, Acting Brigade Quartermaster ; First Lieut. Frank Cutler, Aid-de-camp.
First Lieut. Nelson Flansburg, of Co. H. was detailed Acting Adjutant of the regiment ; Second Lieut. John T. Larkin, of Co. B, Acting Quartermaster ; John E. Young- burg, of Co. D. Acting Sergt .- Major.
April IS. Byron W. Canfield, Hospital-Stewart, was discharged for disability, and John Garvin was appointed to fill the vacancy.
CHAPTER III.
Ordered to Break Camp-On to Corinth-Nearing Monterey-Meet the Enemy-Co. G Goes for Them-New Muskets-Arrival of Dr. Geo. Crossley-Before Corinth-Governor Yates Makes us a Visit-Occasional Brushes with the "Johnnies"-Our First In- troduction to the Shovel and Spade-Cross the Mississippi Line -Another Skirmish-Water Scarce-In Line of Battle-Grape, Canister and Musketry-Another Lively Day-A Sermon by Chaplain Collins-Terrific Explosions-Enemy Leave Corinth in Confusion-Ordered to Follow the Enemy-Into Camp Again -The Paymaster-Captain Busse Takes $42,000 of the Boys' Money and Sends it Home for Them-Lieut. John Shilling Takes $9,000 and Forgets to Come Back-Ordered Back to Corinth-Resignation of Several Officers -- Promotions.
April 29. The army, under General Halleck, is on the move south. This morning early we commenced making preparations to move from our camp at Shiloh. Nine o'clock A. M. we are in line, Lieut .- Colonel Hurlbut in command, and we feel that he will lead the regiment forth to new victories. At 10 o'clock, the 3d Brigade, con- sisting of the 7th. 50th and 57th Illinois, and the 22nd Ohio, under command of Col. S. D. Baldwin, moved forward from Pittsburg Landing, marching in the direction of Corinth, Miss. Owing to the condition of the roads and the jam- ming together of the army trains and artillery, we only succeeded in getting about six miles from the landing, when we went into camp for the night.
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April 30. This morning the whole army is in motion except the part sticking in the mud, and the boys are glad to get away from Shiloh's sickening field. The 3d Brigade marches about three miles and goes into camp for the remainder of the day and night. The refreshing and healthy atmosphere blowing around us make all seem happy.
May 1. This morning we again take up the line of march, the 57th Illinois in the lead. The army moves slowly on. Nearing Monterey and finding it occupied by the enemy, the 3d Brigade is ordered to dislodge them. The place is situated on a high hill surrounded with heavy timber. The regiment moved forward. Company G, com- manded by the indomitable Captain Busse, was thrown forward on the skirmish line, and soon met the enemy, driving them through the town, the regiment moving for- ward in line of battle to support him. After several unsuccessful attempts of the enemy to drive in our skir- mish line, they finally retired, the 3d Brigade taking possession of the town and going into camp. Up to this time the regiment had been armed with the old style Harper's Ferry Muskets; but improved arms (Enfield Rifles) having arrived, the regiment was supplied with them, and the effect of this change was soon plainly visible on the enemy.
May 2. This morning we are at Monterey awaiting orders. We remain here all day, and it seems that the army has come to a halt. Dr. George W. Crossley, First Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. has joined us in place of Dr. Blood. deceased. Several of the men who were sent to the hospital sick have returned ready to take up arms
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in defense of the old flag. The weather is delightful and the roads are drying up.
May 3. This morning we are still at Monterey wait- ing for the siege guns. Our brigade is now in the advance, standing as picket guard for the army. To-day we moved a short distance and went into camp in the woods.
May 4. We are now before Corinth, Miss., and the army under the rebel General Beauregard. We have heard the guns from General Pope's army thundering all day in the direction of Farmington. He takes Portland on the Tennessee River and five hundred prisoners. We are waiting to be called into action at any moment, but the day passes off quietly.
May 5. The artillery and wagon trains are coming up all day. General Halleck is moving slowly with his grand army. All is quiet in camp.
May 6. Large details are made to build roads through the swamps. and the boys find that there is some hard work before them. The roads are terribly cut up with so many teams and so much artillery passing over them.
May 7. To-day Governor Yates visited the camp of the 57th. He has come down to look after the sick soldiers of Illinois. In the afternoon we had a grand review of the 2d Division, and it was an imposing scene. All quiet in camp.
May 9. To-day we hear heavy cannonading in the direction of Farmington. It is General Pope hammering at the door of Corinth. We are now close to the enemy.
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS. 29
and our pickets have occasional brushes with them, which breaks the monotony of camp life.
May 10. It is raining this morning. General Pope's guns are again heard to our left, and before noon the 57th is introduced to the spade and shovel, and we commence throwing up breastworks, and by nightfall we have a strong defensive line. It is remarkable how hard the boys will work to shield themselves from ball and shell-the most indolent work with a will, and who wouldn't.
May 11. All is quiet, with the exception of an occasional shot from the enemy's picket. Our boys are always ready to go them two better, and more if necessary, whenever they "call."
May 12. Pope keeps hammering away at Farmington. Our pickets are heard from often, and our sharpshooters make slow progress. Large details are made to build roads, and the boys are kept at work pretty steadily, which prevents them getting into mischief.
May 13. This afternoon we moved our camp about. two miles. Crossing the Mississippi line our skirmishers had a lively fight with the enemy, but they were compelled to give way. We threw up another line of works in our front and prepared to stay a day or two.
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May 14. To-day we heard from General Hurlbut. On our right heavy cannonading told us that the enemy was there, and we are expecting him to give us a call. The companies are all drilling, and in the afternoon we have a battalion drill.
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May 15. To-day the weather is warm and sultry. We have a brigade drill in the afternoon. In the evening our pickets had a lively skirmish, but our boys held their ground.
May 16. This afternoon we again have a division drill. We will not soon forget the cotton fields of Missis- sippi. All quiet in camp.
May 17. Water is very scarce, and each company has had to dig a well. over which they are very choice. In the evening our lines were advanced a half mile, and the work of building breastworks were renewed.
May 1S. The boys are putting the finishing touch on the breastworks. This line of works is said to be fifteen miles long. and with the Army of the Tennessee behind them can well say to Beauregard "lay on MeDuff."
May 19. The picket line has kept up a racket all day, and in consequence we have been held in line in our works. The indications are that we will soon have rain. May God speed it.
May 20. Last night the Lord smiled upon us, and opened the floodgates of Heaven, causing the rain to fall plentifully. This morning nature looks refreshed, and the atmosphere is clear and refreshing. Our picket line is having a lively time to-day, and we are expecting another move forward.
May 21. This morning we were ordered in line of battle, and moved forward about a mile, driving in the rebel pickets. and taking possession of a ridge that our
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1
pickets had been fighting over with the rebels for two days. On this ridge the batteries were placed, and they soon opened with grape and canister shot and shell into the low land in front. The storm that rolled out from these iron monsters was terrific. At the same time the artillery along the whole front of Sherman's, Pope's and Hurlbut's lines opened fire, plowing their destructive paths through the woods, and making the earth tremble. The men were set to work, and soon we had a line of substan- tial works in our front, but did not hear from the rebels.
May 22. All day long we lay behind our entrench- ments. The pickets and sharpshooters are at it again.
May 23. This was another lively day in front, but the men are getting used to it. The 7th Illinois went out in front to-day and had quite a brush with the Johnnies. They returned to camp in the afternoon.
May 24. There seems to be considerable excitement around, and the men were called into the works several times to-night by the officers who are ever on the watch.
May 25. All quiet in camp to-day. This is Sunday, and Chaplain Collins of the regiment preached to the men, which I hope did them some good.
May 26. All quiet in camp to-day, but we hear some rumbling sounds to our left. I think it is General Pope wanting more ground.
May 27 .. This morning we could hear the rebels play- ing the reveille. There is not much space between the two armies now.
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May 28. To-day we heard heavy cannonading in the direction of General Sherman's line. In the afternoon we moved forward on the rebel works. Our batteries gained a position and threw some shell into their midst. We held our position and threw up breastworks in our front. work- ing half the night. We are so close to the rebels that their minnie balls are passing over our camp.
May 29. The picket line is having a lively time, and the boys seem to keep up the game of ball. All is quiet in camp.
May 30. There seems to be something in the wind. Colonel Baldwin rode along the line several times to-day using his field-glasses. We can hear the whistle of the engines in Corinth and the rattle of the cars as they bump together. Presently the brigade is in line of battle, and we move forward on Breckenridge's command, who was in advance of his lines, to protect a creek for the supply of water, driving him into his works.
May 31. At daylight we heard several terrific ex- plosions, supposed to be the enemy blowing up their magazines. There is confusion now in Halleck's army. They seem to surge like a lashed ocean, when they are told that the rebels have evacuated Corinth and that the Union cavalry now occupies the place. The 2d Division is ordered to Farmington to reinforce .General Pope. We are soon on the march, and reach there in the evening, going into camp ..
June 1. This morning we moved from Farmington. and in the afternoon we came to a halt on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad and go into camp. It seems that the enemy
MAJOR N. B. PAGE,
MAJOR ERIC FORSE.
CAPT. D. B. KENYON, CO. E.
CAPT. FRED. BUSSE, 00. 0.
LIEUT. JOSEPH T. COOK, 10. K
CAPT. W. S. SWAN, CO. (.
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ADJT. J. E. YOUNGBERG.
LIEUT. EDWARD MARTIN. co. E.
GLOBE LITHOGRAPHING AND PRINTING CO . CHICAGO
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HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
left in great confusion. The amount of property destroyed is very great. There is a large warehouse now burning on the railroad track that had been full of provisions. Sugar and molasses run in streams down the track.
June 4. We break camp and march in the direction of Boonville. Miss. It seems the entire army is in motion. The roads are blockaded with artillery and teams, and we make slow progress. We pass through Rienzia, and about. dark pass through Danville. At 9 o'clock P. M. we go into camp. The weather is very hot, and the men tired.
June 5. We left our camp about 2 o'clock P. M. marching a few miles. The roads are terribly dusty. and the weather is hot. The men take every opportunity to keep in the shade. We go into camp. But what is this ? It's the paymaster. He is visiting us a second time, and he is welcome- the men draw four months' pay. The question is now raised-how will we send our money home ? There are no express offices with the army ; but Colonel Baldwin settles the question by detailing Captain G. A. Busse to act as express messenger.
June 6. We remain in camp all day. Captain Busse left us this evening with $42,000 in his possession. He proceeded to Corinth, and finding no express office there he went to Pittsburg Landing and from there to Cairo, Ill .. where he expressed the money and returned a receipt for the same. First Lieutenant John Shilling, of Co. A, who had permission to go to Corinth, took with him about $9.000 of the boys' money. He forgot to express the money, and he also forgot to return to his regiment. The records show him to be a deserter.
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; June 7. This afternoon we broke camp and marched twelve miles in quick time. The weather is hot. the roads are dusty and water scarce, and many of the men fall by the road-side. We go into camp after dark. First Lieu- tenant R. B. Morse, of Co. C, resigns and goes north.
June S. The men are building brush houses to keep off the sun. General T. A. Davies has been taken sick, and General Richard J. Oglesby has taken command of the 2d Division. The men are making themselves as comfortable as possible.
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